Reds beat Bulls in Brisbane

The Reds have played the Bulls 20 times in Super rugby since 1998 and the Reds have won 11 matches, lost 9 times and drawn none.

The Reds 22 wins out of 20 matches gives them a record of winning 55% of their matches against the Bulls regardless of venue.

Each of the last 13 Super Rugby meetings between the Reds and Bulls have been won by the home team on the day; indeed, the Reds have won their last six home games on the bounce against the Bulls with four of those wins coming by seven points or fewer.

The Reds have won six of their last seven Super Rugby games at home against South African opposition (L1); however, their only defeat in that stretch came in their last such fixture (29 February 2020 v Sharks).

The Bulls have won only two of their last 12 Super Rugby games in Australia (L10), despite having held a halftime lead on four occasions in that span.

The Reds have made an average of 15 clean breaks per game this season –the most of any team; however, only the Brumbies (5) have conceded fewer clean breaks per game than the Bulls (7) this campaign.

Only the Crusaders’ David Havili (14) has made more offloads this Super Rugby season than the Bulls’ Warrick Gelant (10); indeed, Gelant’s four offloads in Round 6 were more than any other player and his most in a game since making four against the Kings in 2017.

4.00: The Bulls retain possession of the ball through several phases testing the Reds defensive structure. The Reds hold them out until the Reds knock on.

6.00: The Bulls run the ball on attack, there is some slick passing and handling and from the 5m line Embrose Papier dives over the line and scores. TRY!

8.00: Manie Libbok slots the conversion.

9.00: Penalty to the Reds. They will have a shot. Bryce Hegarty takes the kick but misses.

12.00: The Bulls run the ball down the line and as they go they delay their passes forcing the Reds to commit and Rosko Specman gets the ball and races down the line and scores. TRY!

13.00: Libbok misses the conversion.

15.00: The Blues kick the ball upfield to clear. Chris Feauai-Sautia charges late into Divan Rossouw. The TMO reviews it and Feauai-Sautia is yellow carded. Libbok misses the penalty kick.

16.00: The Bulls get the ball back and Specman offloads at pace to Warrick Gelant who races away down the wing and scores. TRY!

Libbok misses the conversion.

20.00: Penalty to the Reds. It’s kickable but they need points so the Reds kick to the corner.

21.00: The Bulls kick behind the Reds and there is a race between Speight and Specman – Speight wins and dots the ball down.

22.00: From the restart the Bulls receive the ball and Papier goes for a drop goal but misses.

26.00: Penalty to the Reds for as high tackle on Hamish Stewart by Rosko Specman. The Reds take the line out for the penalty.

28.00: The Reds win the line out. They set up the maul and charge for the line – they get to the line but it gets messy and they get driven back so the Reds recycle and go again. This time Liam Wright rotates in the tackle and scores. TRY

30.00: Hegarty adds the conversion. 7-17.

35.00: The Bulls go through the phases and grind the ball into the Reds 22. They go through 7 phases and then go wide for Specman who is headed for the line but gets spun around in the tackle. The Bulls recycle and start the attack again. 12 phases.

36.00: After 14 phases the Reds win a penalty for joining the ruck incorrectly.

Territory : Reds 29% Bulls 71%Possession : Reds 35% Bulls 65%

37.00: The Reds work the ball all the way up field and show some handling skills and offloads. After several players contribute to the play Ben Lucas pops over and scores. TRY!

39.00: Hegarty slots the conversion. 14-17

40.00: The siren sounds for half time – the Reds have a penalty and kick for touch as they want the line out.

41.00: The Reds go long… too long … James O’Connor gets the ball but knocks on. The Bulls get an advantage, so they attack and then kick but the Reds get back and run the ball into touch.

The half time score was Reds 14 Bulls 17

The Reds kick off and the match is underway.

41.00: The Reds make a quick start and they move the ball through the hands and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto gets the ball on the 22m line and runs for the tryline and scores. TRY!

42.00: Hegarty misses the conversion. The Reds lead.

48.00: Scrum penalty to the Reds for angling in. The penalty is in the Bulls 22. The Reds kick for touch and take the line out.

49.00: The line out is not straight. The Bulls choose a scrum.

50.00: Scrum penalty to the Bulls for the front row collapsing. The Bulls kick for touch but don’t find it.

54.00: The Reds have the ball on attack inside the Bulls 22. They go through 8 phases but then concede a penalty for not releasing. The Bulls kick for touch.

55.00: The Bulls bring on Morne Steyn.

58.00: The Reds keep bashing away at the Bulls. They try a change of tactic and kick high – the ball is won by Lukhan Salakaia-Loto who has a run but is caught.

60.00: The Reds recycle and go again and again until they win a penalty in front of the posts.

62.00: Hegarty slots the penalty and extends the lead. 22-17.

66.00: The Reds kick high for Morne Steyn but he loses the ball in the tackle, the Reds regain the ball and chip it, the Reds get to the ball and run for the line but the ball is kicked and the Bulls eventually knock on. Reds 5m scrum.

68.00: The Reds win the scrum, move to the middle and then James O’Connor sends a ball wide where Alex Mafi is wide open so he runs in the TRY!

69.00: Hegarty misses the conversion.

72.00: Henry Speight jumps high for a ball and offloads to Harry Hoopert who is running at pace and goes in to score. TRY!

73.00: Hegarty adds the conversion.

76.00: The Reds are hunting the bonus point. They have the ball but the Bulls are keeping them out. The Reds win a penalty after four phases. Hegarty kicks for touch.

77.00: The Reds win the line out and Taniela Tupou gets the ball 5m out and charges for the line and scores! TRY!